Asked Thursday on a Big Ten conference call for his standout players of the spring, with practice winding to a close with Saturday’s spring game, Worley and Lee were the two players Meyer mentioned.

“Two guys that were redshirted, nonexistent, not even really part of the program,” Meyer said of their first seasons at Ohio State in 2013. “And I saw it near the end of last year, bowl practice, you started seeing these two kids. First of all, they’re great people. And they understand the culture. And that’s what I want. And I think they’re thriving in the culture of going as hard as you can and not worrying about making a mistake and playing fast. And those two are thriving.”

Lee has been thriving in a starting spot, running with the first team since the first day of practice at the walkout linebacker spot, where the Buckeyes are looking for quick players who can cover and hit. It’s a new definition at that defensive position this season. Worley fits it just as well. But he’s been running mostly with the second team.

“We’re like brothers,” Worley said of Lee, the two of them first getting to know each other at the North-South Classic high school all-star game in 2013. “We’re competing, but at the same time we help each other. Coaches see that and see us both getting better every day and giving it our all. So we both try to play.”

Lee is the frontrunner for now, but Worley, at the very least, should be a main cog on special teams. With the linebacker issues the Buckeyes have had the previous two seasons, having two players they like at a single linebacker position is a new bonus.

The walkout spot should play a lot this season, asked to cover receivers at times and help out in stopping wide runs and quick screens. Lee, at 6-2 and 225 pounds, and Worley, 6-2 and 218, both have the right skills and attitude to play it.

“You’ve got to be really disciplined. You’ve got to play in space more than maybe the Will (linebacker) and you have to read your run key, too,” Worley said. “I just try to give it my all every down and show my pure toughness and play football.”

That’s what Meyer likes so much. For Worley, he said his role is similar to what he played at Glenville High School. With the Buckeyes overhauling the defense this spring, he was ready to jump in after sitting out last year.

“It was really big in my development last year to come in and learn the playbook. This year, they basically blew the whole thing up. We got a whole new playbook, so everyone started off on the same foot,” Worley said. “It’s pure competition. And that’s what we come here for, to compete.”

Meyer has noticed Worley doing that, even if Lee holds an edge in the competition for their one spot. If Worley keeps impressing the boss, he’ll find his way onto the field sooner than later, one way or another.